Wednesday, July 11, 2001
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The Council for Science and Technology Policy held its eighth meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in attendance. In the meeting the Council decided the policy for resource distribution for budget and human resources for science and technology in FY2002. The basic policy towards 2002 proposes to consider a number of policy requests such as strengthening industrial competitiveness and vitalizing the economy, and realizing a healthy and high-quality lifestyle, together with protection of the global environment and the realization of a recycling society. For this, the Council agreed that strategic emphasis must be placed on science and technology and that the reform of science and technology systems should be conducted. On the other hand, given Japan's current financial position, the Council also agreed to seek efficiency through making the necessary consolidation, rationalization and reductions. Four areas are specified in this policy as needing particular strategic emphasis. They are those in which national and social needs are high, and were given as follows in the meeting: (1) life sciences; (2) telecommunications; (3) the environment; and (4) nanotechnologies and materials. |